Some 91% of IESE MBA 2015 graduates have found employment across 40 countries within three months of graduation. And 85% of them have taken their career in a new geographical and professional direction.

Asia has risen from 13% last year to 21%, while Africa and the Middle East have leapt from 1% to 8% in choice of job location. A total of 31% will remain in European countries outside Spain, and employment in Latin America is up from 9% to 13% this year.

In 2015 the sector spread is more varied than ever. 29% have opted for consulting and 22% for finance. There is a strong trend towards tech. E-commerce is at the top of the corporate sector with 11%. Healthcare comes in at 6%, followed by Consumer Goods with 4%. Retail and the industrial sector are also popular destinations for graduates.

Essential Element for Employment

The MBA Career Forum is key in terms of many students’ job search. It regularly accounts for more than 70% of each year’s MBA graduates job placement. And internship. Some of the 40 companies found on site looking to recruit our 550 MBA students are: Amazon, Camper, EON, Lidl, Opel, Novartis, Microsoft, Möet Hennessy, Nike, General Electric, OTB, Merk, Bertelsman, Citi, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, American Express, McKinsey, Accenture, BCG, Siemens, Deloitte, Indra, Roland Berger and Bain & Co.

Andrea Hayem (MBA ’16) from El Salvador who has already secured herself a position at Morgan Stanley shared her experience with us. “The Career Forum and Career Services helped me find the perfect job after the MBA. From facilitating the networking, to reviewing my CV and cover letters, to coordinating mock interviews, IESE provided me with all the tools to achieve the internship I wanted.”

Executive Networking and Interviews

Second-year Konstantin Kozin (MBA ‘16), from Russia, found his experience evolving over the two-year course. “Last year was sessions, presentations and networking. These provide direct communication with the top managers from international companies – something that I didn’t have access to before the MBA. This year it’s interviews. On Monday I had seven.”

First-year Karen Crisostomo (MBA ‘17) is from the Philippines. She stressed the range of companies – and opportunities – the Career Forum offers. “I’m really excited about meeting with some of the retail and luxury goods companies that are here. There are so many companies from such a wide variety of industries. I guess I’m trying to keep my options open as you never know where your path might take you.”

When facing such a range of top employers, it pays to do your homework, as Spanish David Pardo (MBA ‘16) makes clear. “Be proactive. The Career Forum helps with networking and to meet companies. But at the end of the day you own your professional career. Research the companies you’re interested in beforehand. Stay in touch with the people you meet at the career fair. And prepare yourself thoroughly for the application process.”